The Jutsu of Surrender

AN: I love Resident Evil. >.> I was so randomly tempted to make a side story with zombies trying to over run the Akatsuki... because I’m weird like that. Anyway, gore warning. I was amused by it, but like I said, I’m weird like that.

This chapter is twice the normal length that I usually put out, and it jumps around a few times. I wanted to keep it all together, instead of breaking it up, though I didn’t think you all would mind an extra long chapter.

[Note from beta: x.x; This would have been out days ago if I wasn’t such a horribly slow beta! Blame me for any late-ness, I’m bad like that.]



Why was it that Sasuke had a talent for living in places that most people would have shuddered to think of? Just why did it not bother him at all? Was he that sick? Maybe after seeing his clan slaughtered, gore just didn’t do anything to him. Orochimaru’s ever-shifting bases were alike in that they all had an area for Orochimaru to perfect his jutsu that involved human sacrifices. “All in the name of science,” Orochimaru would say with that gleam in his eyes, smile curling his lips.

The Akatsuki base was no different. Sasuke had heard Kisame mumble, the last time he’d passed the human research area quickly, that that section had been much larger, and noisier, when Orochimaru had been there. Sasuke could only imagine.

Living in such a place, he had to see it at least once. He didn’t like the idea of not knowing every inch of his home. If the enemy... which might be his friends... were to get in, being familiar with his surroundings could up his chances of survival. Of course that was all a very good excuse, but his slightly morbid side begged to see how this lab might be different from that of his previous home.

Sasuke lifted his chin, and met every questioning glance with assurance. He’d learned that early; look like you belong there, and generally people don’t question your presence. The air was thick with chemical scents, too many for him to pick out and identify. When a white-coated man walked out of his view, Sasuke paused in front of the thick fiberglass pane in front of him. There was a man, clothed in nothing but a loincloth, lying on a metal table. There were black markings on his skin, covering his body. Several men were finishing up the marks on his leg and arm, all in lab coats and with masks on.

“He’s dead.”

The younger Uchiha had sensed someone coming nearer, but ignored it as he guessed it was another worker. Glancing at the... boy, it seemed, he noticed the black and clouded cloak then turned back to the window. “Oh?”

“Yes. There are jutsu that can make the dead rise, and walk. Similar to the puppeteer jutsu.”

Sasuke watched quietly for a while longer, tilting his head a little. The men finished then quickly left, shutting the heavy metal door behind them. “Why did they mark him?”

“Watch...” The man sat up, movements jerky. “Tch... amateurs.” His hand rose, finger tips painted black as well. The man touched his other wrist, at the end of the black marking, then dragged his finger over his wrist, smudging the mark. Suddenly there was a flash and a loud pop. “Mm... they’ve improved the glass. Usually the sound is a lot more deafening.”

Blinking, Sasuke stared out through the window, waiting for the smoke to clear so he could see what had happened. Strong air vents opened, pulling the smoke from the room like a vacuum. There was nothing but bits of the man left, spread around the room. “A bomb?”

“Exactly... Taking enemy ninja, then turning them into weapons to turn against their own village. It’s similar to those times where the sieging knights would take the peasants they had prisoner, and catapult them into the city. Or just parts of them.” The redhead turned, face completely blank. “To more sensitive enemies, such a thing would demoralize them.”

Sasuke still stared at the remains, wondering just how much damage it could do. “Break them down mentally, before attacking? Wouldn’t that just anger them?”

“Angry men do not think clearly, and attack with little thought of more than vengeance. To do so is foolish, and invites mistakes.” Leaning against the window, he looked Sasuke over. “You don’t belong here.”

He sniffed. “So? I was curious.”

“Curiosity is seldom a trait in ninja who wish to live.”

“Curiosity is a trait that tempts the more intelligent to discover new jutsu,” Sasuke snapped back, glaring at the red head. Was every member of the Akatsuki eccentric and crazy? Kisame seemed to be the only semi-normal one out of the bunch.

Cracking a slight smirk, the man nodded, holding out his hand. “True. I’m Sasori, Deidara’s partner.”

Sasuke took the hand, shaking it briefly. “I’m sorry.”

“Heh. So you’ve met my partner.” Sasori drew his hand back, the slender and slightly cold appendage disappearing into the sleeve of his cloak. “There are more interesting experiments being conducted. Come back later... The chief researcher and his assistant took a holiday, but they’ll be back tomorrow.”

“I see... What other sorts of things go on here?”

Sasori shrugged, pushing away from the glass. “Depends on the time of day. There are really too many to just list offhand.” He was surprised the Uchiha whelp wasn’t more affronted with the display. Sasuke was interested in what most members ignored.

The clock was covered with congealed blood, but Sasuke could see enough to curse silently to himself. This area had been the last on his stop, but he had already spent too much time exploring elsewhere. Itachi would wake soon, and wonder where he was. “Is there a short cut to the cafeteria from here? I need to get an... Itachi some food.” He was hungry as well, stomach flip-flopping at the thought of food.

“Mm... There’s a hall that the laboratory workers use. I’ll show you.” Sasori stepped away from the window and further down the hall, a few men that had been walking quickly sliding out of his way.

Sasuke smirked and followed. The boy moved with a subtle grace, hair falling in unkempt pieces around his face. There was something different about him that Sasuke couldn’t place, but he ignored it. If he were a possible threat, then Sasuke would have kept closer attention to Sasori, to see what this difference was. Sasori wasn’t a threat, at the moment, and Sasuke felt slightly at ease around him.

Soon the small hall led to the more open one Sasuke knew to lead to the cafeteria, the smell of freshly baked bread making his mouth water. They walked on in silence before Sasuke felt a rush of air and something fly toward them. He stepped back, sharingan activating out of habit.

“Sasori-danna!” Deidara draped himself over Sasori’s back, arms dangling in front of his chest. “You’re late! You said you’d get me food.” The blonde pouted, rubbing his cheek against Sasori’s hair.

“Get off of me.” Sasori said quietly, brushing one of his partner’s arms away from his shoulder.

Sasuke was surprised that Deidara did as was asked of him, hopping back. He then noticed something he hadn’t before, on Deidara’s hand. There was a line across his palm, one that would occasionally open. A mouth? Sasuke rubbed his temples, lowering his head as he sighed. Either he had spent too much time with Orochimaru, or had been fondled by his brother too often; the hand gave him ideas, and questions that he honestly didn’t want Deidara to answer.

At the sigh, Deidara looked up at Sasuke. “Oi, what’re you doing here, brat?”

Twitching, Sasuke dropped his hand, glaring at Deidara. “Well, seeing as we’re close to the cafeteria, I’m guessing it’s safe to assume I’m going to eat.”

Deidara snorted. “Got a mouth on that one.”

“He’s like Itachi.” Sasori smiled a little then turned back in the direction he had previously been walking. “Come on, before all the good buns are taken.” He knew his partner’s weakness, and exploited it to the best of his ability. Deidara followed, as he thought he would, sniffing at the air encouragingly.

Sasuke lingered behind them, not sure if he wanted to join or take the food and leave. The hallway opened to the larger cavern that was the cafeteria, large rows of benches and tables filling the room. He followed them to the line, waiting impatiently.

“Where’s the fire, brat?” Deidara glanced back at him, raising an eyebrow.

“I wanted to get back before Itachi wakes up.”

Sasori didn’t look back as he spoke, lightly pushing the small of Deidara’s back to move him forward in line. “After the night he had, he won’t be awake for awhile.” Not much was kept secret in a building full of highly trained ninja. Sasori thought of them as busybodies, gossiping about other people’s business. He had accidentally overheard one of them talking about witnessing Itachi enter Leader’s room, then not come back out for hours. The implications were clear, as was the pleasure their leader received from torturing Itachi.

“I see.” Sasuke clenched his fists, anger rising. Did everyone know about what was going on but him?

“Oooh, so you know what sort of business Itachi is having with Leader-sama, yeah?” The blonde picked up a few rolls, then nodded as the man offered him a scoop of potatoes.

Sasuke felt his eye twitch. Fine, he and Deidara were the only ones left in the dark. “Yes, I’d like to know what their deal is.” The red head looked over his shoulder casually at him, then looked away and stayed silent. “Is it something that bad?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“He is my business!” The server jumped a little at the sudden raise in voice, all eyes in the cafeteria turning to him. Sasuke didn’t relent, glaring at Sasori’s back. “Well?”

“Ask Itachi, if it means that much to you. It isn’t my place to gossip.”

Deidara winced, waving at the server. “Oi, get a few servings to go, the loud one is bringing some back for Itachi.” The server nodded, ducking under the counter to retrieve the containers. “Relax a little, Sasuke... yeah... If it was something you really needed to know, he’d tell you, right?” He blinked then tilted his head a little, thinking. “Then again, Itachi generally doesn’t open up to anyone but Kisame. If that... yeah.”

Sasuke accepted the food offered to him numbly, trying to smother his anger. If he asked Itachi, he’d more than likely be met with the same distractions as before. It was clear that Itachi didn’t want to tell him, and that made Sasuke want to know even more. Deidara shoved some money at the man behind the counter then hooked his arm around Sasuke’s, pulling him toward a table. Sasuke didn’t object, glad that the attention of the room had shifted elsewhere. Sasori trailed behind, watching them both. The smell of food drew Sasuke’s attention away from his thoughts, and he slid into the bench across from Deidara. Damn, but the meal did smell good.

The blonde gnawed on his roll while his other hand shaped the mountain of mashed potatoes. As Sasuke buttered and nibbled at his own roll, Deidara soon had the mound looking like a small village, butter filled pool in the center. The village quickly had details that Sasuke didn’t know were possible with potatoes, down to the doorknobs and windowsills. Around the pool of butter he built what Sasuke assumed was a hot spring, given the way he shaped the rest of the buttery lake. Using tiny scraps of his roll, Deidara added plant life, rolling part of the scrap to create a trunk-like appearance to the trees. Even if it was fascinating to watch, Sasuke couldn’t help but wonder just how bored the blonde was.

“Will you stop playing with your food? Just eat it, and let’s go.”

“Awww, but Sasori-danna, I’m almost done.” Deidara gave his partner a half glare, shoving the rest of the roll into his mouth. He looked over his potato town then shrugged, scooping a large portion of it with his fork into his mouth as well.

Sasuke shook his head, standing. “Thank you for showing me the way here. I’ll return later to see the other experiments you mentioned, Sasori.” Giving them a slight bow, the Uchiha retreated. He felt the sudden urge to be near Itachi again. Odd, he hadn’t been with Itachi for long, but he was already rather attached. It had been hard enough to fall asleep the night before. Well, maybe more than attached. Sasuke scowled to himself, trying to push that thought away.

The door was hard to open, juggling the food while trying to turn the knob quietly. Itachi was still asleep, breath coming at slow and even intervals. Sasuke set the food on the small table near his dresser then padded over to the bed. He didn’t know if he should wake his brother or not. Itachi honestly seemed exhausted, but a little food might also feel just as good as a long rest. Eventually he decided on waking him. There would be plenty of time to rest after eating, and it had been quite awhile since Sasuke had left his brother. He brushed his hand over Itachi’s cheek, voice softer than he’d usually let anyone hear. “Itachi...”

“Mmmmm?” Itachi stirred slightly, eyes still closed.

“Do you want to eat? I brought you something.”

Reluctantly, Itachi opened his eyes, glad the lights remained off as there was no harsh light to hurt his eyes. “Sure,” he mumbled, sitting up with a wince. If his ass hurt any longer, he’d go out and kill something. Part of him cheered at that option, mind parting the sleep fog to picture exactly what he’d do. It should have worried him, he supposed, at being so easily amused at the thought of murder. “Smells good,” he said, instead of letting his mind linger over that too long.

“It is. The rolls at least.” Sasuke wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Deidara sure had fun with the potatoes.”

Itachi groaned, remembering the fondness the blonde had for playing with them. “He’s an art freak.” It was an understatement, but true. Sasori was the only one that really understood his partner.

“I see... that explains a few things. Anyway, stay here and I’ll serve you.” He rose from the bed, collecting the food containers in his hands, setting one of his own rolls on top of it. “They still feel warm, too. Oh, and I didn’t know what you added to your food, but I brought some butter and salt...” Sasuke sat gingerly down on the bed, putting the food in Itachi’s lap.

“You seem to be moving easier today.” Itachi opened one of the plastic containers, breathing in deeply at the steam that wafted from it. “Mmm...”

“Yeah, walking around helped.” He handed Itachi a plastic fork then took a bite out of his bread. This one had been cooked with cheese and some sort of meat in the center. Sasuke chewed slowly, enjoying the delicious treat.

“Good. Then maybe I’ll start teaching you today.”

Sasuke brightened a little, trying to down play his excitement. How many years had he wanted his brother to pay attention to him like this? To teach him... “Sure. If you’re up to it.”

Itachi snorted and ate his food. It would have been best to fight him, and see just how far along he was in his lessons. That wouldn’t be a good gauge while Sasuke was still wounded. He guessed he would start with the less strenuous jutsu. By the way Sasuke had been healing, Itachi supposed he had learned how to manipulate his chakra to heal faster. While their fight when Sasuke was much younger had been pitiful, his brother’s body nearly sang with control and power now. Analytically Itachi tried to assess his chances in an honest fight with his brother, eyes un-focusing as the thought. Sasuke would be difficult to fight, but was certainly beatable.

“Aniki?”

“Are you ready?” Itachi finished off his food, collecting the dishes to throw in the garbage.

“Ah... yes.”

“My shoes don’t fit you,” Itachi had just noticed that, and frowned at Sasuke’s toes. How did he get bigger feet than his older brother? “Tell me your size, and I’ll tell one of the errand boys to pick up a few new pairs for you.” He eyed Sasuke, then shook his head. “New clothes as well.”

“You just don’t like sharing.” Sasuke smirked, crossing his arms over his chest.

“That’s childish. I don’t mind sharing.”

“Mmhmm...” He rose and held out his hand to Itachi. “Let’s go, aniki.”

“Yes.”



A few days later, Itachi returned from Leader’s room, hands clenched. It actually hadn’t been as bad as their first night; his treatment had softened a little. Just a little. The hallway was quiet in the early morning hours, only a few of the night help wandering by him now and then. They said nothing to him, and he didn’t make an attempt to meet their eyes. Itachi usually didn’t put up with idle conversation; now he was ready to rip apart the first person who spoke to him. He tried to calm down, but to no avail. Leader just set off that spark in him, made him unreasonably angry.

Pausing at his door, he leaned his forehead against it, taking in a deep breath. It was over with, for tonight. He had a few days of respite, then would have to return. Itachi opened the door quietly, not wanting to wake Sasuke.

“Aniki.”

Itachi looked up in surprise, Sasuke sitting on the bed, covers pulled over his legs. Kicking the door closed, Itachi stripped off his shirt, tossing it toward the laundry hamper. “Otouto.”

“Is something wrong?” Itachi remained silent, shaking his head in response. The younger Uchiha watched him remove his pants, keeping his underwear on, then they joined his shirt in the hamper.

Itachi noticed Sasuke’s eyes wandering over his body. “I’m tired. I just want to sleep, ne?”

“Okay.” Sasuke held back his disappointment, moving away from the edge of the bed. He held open the sheets as Itachi crawled in, wincing and cursing under his breath. “Did you get hurt on your mission?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright... just get some sleep.” Sasuke shifted closer then paused, eyes on Itachi’s chest.

“Thanks.” The older Uchiha draped his arm over Sasuke’s hips, closing his eyes.

“Aa.” Sasuke’s fingers brushed over the mark on his brother’s skin. That wasn’t something he had done... His eyes widened as the answer hit him, heart sinking at the thought.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah…” he swallowed, trying to get control of his emotions. “Nothing.” Sasuke laid his head on the pillows, then whispered, “Let’s get some sleep.”

“Okay.” Itachi was too tired to pursue the subject. It wasn’t that he didn’t care, his mind just screamed for him to fall asleep and dream of anything other than what had just happened. He touched his lips to Sasuke’s forehead then froze as Sasuke shuddered once, softly. “What’s wrong?” Pulling away, Itachi opened his eyes and found Sasuke staring at him. His brother touched his chest, drawing Itachi’s attention to the mark there. They watched each other for a moment. How was he supposed to explain that? Anger that fled at the sight of Sasuke filled him once more. Leader wasn’t happy just taking his body, now he was hurting the one thing Itachi found joy in. “Sasuke...”

“It’s okay.”

Itachi blinked, not expecting that response. “What?”

“It’s okay. I’m hurt, so you can’t sleep with me like that... and... you don’t love me, so I really have no right to expect you to only be with me. So it’s okay.” The words tumbled from his lips, Sasuke only half aware he was speaking. It hurt like hell...

“It isn’t like that...”

“It’s really okay, aniki.”

Itachi closed his eyes. “Alright.” He willed himself to fall asleep quickly, wanting the pain he saw on Sasuke’s face to fade from memory. Sasuke buried his face against his brother’s neck, slightly smaller body shaking ever so slightly in his arms. No matter what he did, or how he tried to help Sasuke, he still ended up making him cry... “I don’t care about anyone other than you.”

“...Aa.”

“Do you believe me?”

“No.” Sasuke ignored his brother’s sigh, snuggling as close as he could get.

“Goodnight.” This was for Sasuke... he was doing this for Sasuke. But repeating that didn’t make it hurt any less, or still the shudders that wracked Sasuke’s frame.

“Goodnight, aniki.”


That wasn’t something Itachi wanted to repeat. The next days passed quietly, Sasuke a bit more sullen than before. This irritated Itachi, who became more prone to snapping at Sasuke, who would reply just as tartly. Wretched circle of shitty-ness. Itachi decided to confront Leader on the subject. He was giving his body to him, there wasn’t any harm in asking something so small.

Itachi stood in Leader’s room, few days respite passed. He hated the way the other smirked at him in a predatory way. “No more marks.”

Leader raised an eyebrow. “And why not?”

“They disturb Sasuke, and I don’t want to explain them... Just do whatever, leave out marking me.” He wasn’t Leader’s lover, just a pet to pass the time with. Sasuke had earned the right to claim his body as his own, scratching or marking what he pleased.

The older man’s eyes narrowed. “Are you attempting to give me an order?”

“It’s my body, I have a right to.”

“Oh, no.” Leader moved closer slowly, eyes glinting dangerously at Itachi. “All of you is mine.”

Itachi narrowed his eyes as well, glaring defiantly at him. “I’m not. You have no right to mar my skin; all I agreed to do was return to your bed, not be tortured.”

“Alright.” Leader stopped advancing on the Uchiha, shrugging. “Then you can leave my bed, and I’ll have the boy killed.”

Itachi lifted his chin. “He could be valuable to you, let me train him more and he’ll be just as strong as the others. Killing him would be a waste.” He didn’t flinch as Leader stormed angrily toward him, roughly taking Itachi’s chin in his hand.

“No, it wouldn’t. It would teach you a lesson.”

“If you kill him, I’ll learn nothing.”

“You’d be in pain.”

Itachi hesitated for a moment, weighing his options. “...I would not.”

“Well, then,” the older man let go of him, stepping back. “I’ll just go ahead and get rid of him. He’s a nuisance, anyway.”

“He hardly eats, and he doesn’t bother you. What makes him a nuisance?” He felt his chance to prove Sasuke’s worth slipping away. It was only one stupid request, why did it pain Leader to do anything remotely helpful?

“He distracts you.” Leader calmly strode toward the door, palming a kunai to show his intent.

A brief flutter of panic hit Itachi, followed by anger, then eventually defeat. He lowered his gaze to the floor, fists balled tightly into fists. “Stop.”

Knowing he had won, Leader smirked and looked back at him. “Yes?”

“I won’t complain anymore.” Itachi’s nails bit into his palm. “Do as you will to me.” He ground his teeth, hating what he had to resort to. Now neither of them would be happy. Sasuke would see the marks that Leader was certain to leave after every encounter, and be in pain thinking that Itachi was sleeping with someone else. Itachi wanted to tell him that it wasn’t what he thought, but there was no real way to explain it without Sasuke taking it wrongly.

“Good boy.” Leader smirked, moving toward him again.

Itachi’s fingers twitched, noticing the smirk. What he wouldn’t give to be able to wipe that damn smug look from his face. “As you say.” Fingers gripped his chin roughly once more, yanking him close enough to kiss. Lips crushed his own, and his body tensed in distaste. Leader’s tongue fought its way inside; Itachi flattened his tongue against the floor of his mouth in response. He had given enough to the man, a willing kiss was asking too much.

Growling against his mouth, Leader’s nails dug into Itachi’s arm. “Respond.”

“No. Just fuck me and get it over with.”

He growled again, shoving Itachi back onto the bed. “Fine.”

Inwardly Itachi sighed, falling back onto the bed. He was just digging himself deeper into this hole. As much as it pained him to respond, he had to do something to keep from annoying Leader too much. Itachi removed his shirt as Leader undressed, scooting back on the bed. To keep his pants from possibly being shredded, he removed them and his underwear as well, tossing them toward his shirt. Reluctantly, he opened his legs, settling back on the pillows. It was hard not to glare hatefully at the older man, but he tried to summon some sort of look that might be seen as sexy.

Leader knelt on the bed, pausing at Itachi’s look. The boy was being all too willing. “What’re you doing?”

“As you want...”

“And nothing more?”

“No... I want to keep Sasuke here, you want to sleep with me... I might as well give in willingly, ne?”

Leader eyed him for a moment then shrugged his shoulders, covering Itachi’s body with his own. “You’ll do whatever I want, now?”

“...For the most part. As long as it stays within the agreed terms...”

“Right.” Leader kissed his neck, tongue exploring the smooth skin. “I like it when you submit so easily.” His hands roved over Itachi’s stomach, delighted at the way he shivered in response. Still, being talked back to like that wasn’t something he would let Itachi get away with unscathed...

Several hours later, Itachi leaned heavily against his door, not caring if his blood stained the grain. “Fucking... prick...” he wasn’t out of breath, but he was so enraged that he shook. Walking in that sort of state would only worry Sasuke, so he tried to calm himself. “I hate that man.” Straightening, Itachi leaned less heavily on the door, opening it.

Sasuke looked up, eyes widening at the sight of him. “What the hell happened?!” He rushed over to Itachi’s side, supporting his brother’s weight as best he could. Itachi threw his arms around Sasuke’s shoulders, nuzzling his hair. “Are you alright?” That wasn’t like Itachi, to seek comfort from him.

“I’ll live.”

“What happened to you?” Sasuke rubbed his back in slow circles, hoping to provide some comfort.

Itachi winced, back arching away from the touch. He felt raw, but unsure just how much of his back actually held scratch marks. That probably could be explained away easily... but at the moment, he didn’t care if Sasuke wondered about them or not. “Don’t ask.” His brother blinked slightly, dropping his hands. “I”d say toss me into bed, but I’d ruin the sheets. Help toss me into the shower instead?”

“Of course,” Sasuke wrapped one arm around Itachi’s waist, leading him to the bathroom. The older Uchiha sagged against him, thankful for the support. Sasuke leaned Itachi against the wall, turning the knobs to start the water. “Why don’t you take a bath?”

“Too many people use it... I don’t want anyone else to see me like this.”

Sasuke sighed softly, checking to make sure the water was warm enough. “Alright, but I’m getting in with you to make sure you don’t hurt yourself.”

“Fine.” He pulled at his shirt, wincing as the movement caused every scratch to burn. Damn that man. It was oddly ironic. What Sasuke had experienced, Itachi was experiencing in a way. Not as brutal, but similar.

His shirt had bloody marks on the back and sides, pants stained at the hips as well. Great. So not only was Leader causing him pain, but he was ruining his clothes. If it kept on like this, he’d just walk there naked. Part of him chuckled at that; explaining why he was naked and walking around the halls that way would be pretty hard, even if Sasuke believed every single word. Which he more than likely wouldn’t.

Sasuke helped him into the shower, adjusting the nozzle so the water sprayed evenly down his brother’s back. The water pinked at Sasuke’s feet for a moment as the blood mixed in, then was clear once more. At least it had only lasted for a few seconds; any longer, and he would worry there was serious wounds on his brother. “What happened to you, Itachi?” He tried to ask again, hoping Itachi would elaborate this time.

“I said don’t ask.”

“But,” before he could finish his protest, Itachi’s lips had covered his own, effectively ending the discussion. Itachi’s hands slid over his shoulder blades, hugging him tightly. Slowly he returned the embrace, trying to be as gentle as he could. Sasuke felt him wince and break the kiss, panting close to the younger Uchiha’s lips. “Aniki... are you alright?”

Itachi tilted his head up, kissing Sasuke’s forehead. “I will be.... I just need you.”

Sasuke gave him a hesitant smile. “You have me.”

“I know...” He closed his eyes, stroking his back. That was the one sure thing in his life now, it was the only thing he could count on. “I know.” Sasuke leaned a little against him, getting just as soaked as his brother. While Sasuke was worth the treatment he received, it was still daunting to know he had three years of it left. “You know,” he paused and bit his lip, trying to find the words to phrase his thoughts. “You’re a pretty quick learner...”

“What do you mean?”

“I bet you could learn everything I need to teach you in two years instead.”

“No.” Sasuke tensed; that was the last thing he wanted to talk about. Moving back slightly, he mildly glared at Itachi. “I already told you I’m not killing you.”

Itachi touched his hands to Sasuke’s cheeks, eyes staring directly into the coal ones that were nearly identical to his own. “You love me, don’t you?” If he had to use this as his only way out, then he would.

“Yes, I love you... you know that.”

“Then why can’t you do it for me?”

“Because I love you, stupid.”

“If you loved me, you’d let me go,” Itachi replied softly.

Sasuke flinched, stepping back further. “Fine. I’ll kill you, but I’m killing myself immediately after.” His brother wouldn’t let that happen... Even if he did, killing himself was hardly an option... but then, all he had lived for before was to kill Itachi. He wouldn’t let himself think of such a cowardly thing before, because it meant that he wouldn’t even get the chance to completing his task. Were Itachi to call his bluff, he was mostly certain he could do it, or prove that he was serious. There wasn’t anything left in his life now; he had existed for Itachi back then. Now it was a different reason, but still... for Itachi.

His brother dropped his hands as if Sasuke had bitten him, leaning against the small shower wall. “No.”

“Then don’t ask me to kill you.” He flinched as Itachi hit the bathroom wall, narrowly missing him.

“Damn it, Sasuke, I told you...”

“Told me what?”

Itachi ran his hands haltingly through his knotted wet hair. “You have to follow my plan.” His plan was the glue that kept the pieces of his mind together. Losing that plan felt as though he were losing grip on life. The plan was the only control he had, it needed to be in effect. “I want you to be happy after I die.”

“I can’t be happy with you dead, Itachi!” The younger Uchiha gave him a look he usually reserved for Naruto’s more stupid moments.

“You can! Go back to Konoha, I’m sure the kyuubi vessel would make you forget me easily. You can be happy with him.” He wasn’t blind, he knew there was an attachment between the two, even if it had been a long time ago. That was the person Sasuke had to kill to receive the mangekyou.

“No! I need you, Itachi, you fucking idiot!”

“You don’t need me, you’re stronger than that!”

Sasuke bit back a scathing reply, looking away. “You don’t know that... you don’t care about me the way I care about you... if you did, you’d understand what I’m talking about.”

Before his anger would betray his thoughts, Itachi snapped his mouth closed. He did care. More than he should, more than what was allowed him. The water was cold already, numbing his skin as it fell. What little heat he did have was sucked away by the tile at his back. He shivered, but ignored it. “You don’t understand me.” Sasuke leveled a questioning glare at him, quietly urging him to explain. “I just want Shisui to have his revenge.” He shook his head. “If someone killed you, you’d want revenge too, ne?”

“Shisui wouldn’t want you to do all of this, Itachi.”

It hurt... he hated talking about this. Lowering his head, his hair was swept over his shoulders by the cold water. “He deserves it. You weren’t there, and it wasn’t a quick death. I had to watch the only person who understood me plead for his life.” The thought unraveled him a little, chipping away at the coldness he tried so hard to encase himself in.

“Itachi...”

“I told him I loved him, for the first time, then I killed him.” The scene played out before him, despite Itachi’s attempts to still his mind. In the river, playing as Shisui would encourage him to do. He had been a lot like Sasuke, back in those days... The pressure in him built, Shisui coming to his side to ask if he was alright, putting his hand comfortingly on his shoulder. Sasuke, or Shisui. Endearing brother or the person he cared for, the one that understood him. He looked at him, hand touching Shisui’s cheek lovingly, making the other blink out of surprise. Even back then, he had tried to build up the wall of indifference, the only two people that could crack that were the ones he had to decide which lived or died. Itachi murmured those words, the only time he had said such a thing since he was a child and repeating the words to his parents. Shisui’s eyes had lit up like Itachi had offered him the world, then were filled with confusion as he was pushed under. It was because Itachi did love him, that he had to die. The most important to him. Itachi watched him fill with panic as his breath ran out, scratching at Itachi’s arms, eyes pleading to be released... Then all was still, and the eyes that were usually such a comfort to Itachi were dull, staring blindly at him.

Sasuke was lost in his own thoughts, dislike filling him. Itachi loved Shisui. There was someone that had earned those words, then tore them from Itachi’s vocabulary. Sasuke would never hear that ‘I love you’, because of Shisui.

Itachi lifted Sasuke’s chin, stroking his cheek with his thumb. “That’s why I can’t love you. It’s punishment for my sins. Until you can kill me.”

He flinched again, pulling away from Itachi’s grasp. “It’s punishing me, not you.” Itachi’s brows furrowed, probably not having thought of that. “Will you be okay by yourself? You’re not going to fall or anything?”

“Yeah.”

“Then I think I’ll let you finish yourself.” Sasuke slipped out of the shower, grabbing one of the towels.

“Sasuke.” Pushing away from the cold tile, he opened the curtain, turning off the water. Sasuke’s eyes were on him, waiting for him to speak. “Don’t be upset.”

“Yeah.” It was hard not to laugh at that. Don’t be upset. It wasn’t anything. Yeah, right.

The hurt fled him at the tone of Sasuke’s voice. Every single time he actually opened up to the brat, it would turn around and bite him on the ass. Clenching his teeth, he yanked the towel off the rack, almost snapping the bar from the wall.

Sasuke’s eyes widened, “Itachi...” His brother wrapped a towel around himself, then hobbled out of the room. “Itachi, I’m sorry.” He followed, frowning.

“Whatever. Go to bed.”

“Aniki.” His eyes reflected hurt, not knowing what had angered his brother.

Itachi jerked open the door, still in only a towel. “I’ll be back later.”

“Where are you going?” He followed Itachi to the door, chewing on his bottom lip.

“Out. I need to think.” To think, or get blindly drunk. The latter seemed the most attractive. “Just stay here, I need someone to yell at.” Kisame would listen, or tell him to shut up. Either way, he needed the steadiness of his partner at the moment. Sasuke nodded and moved back slowly, pout barely kept from his face. Before that look could get to him, Itachi stepped out into the hallway. “I won’t be gone long.”

“Aa.”

Itachi shut the door after him, walking to Kisame’s room. The door was open, and the room empty. Cursing, he hoped Kisame was still nearby. He decided to check the bath. On the way there, he pulled his hair away from his back, strands sticking to the drying scratches. Itachi pulled them free, not wanting them to dry and irritate the wounds.

Kisame was slouched in the large public tub, eyes closed as he relaxed in the hot water. Itachi picked up a sliver of soap and threw it at his chest. He had aimed for his head; pity that his anger marred his marksmanship. “Kisame.”

Startled, his partner sat up. “What?”

“Are you busy?”

Fighting back an obvious reply, Kisame settled himself more comfortably in the water once more. It wasn’t often that his partner seemed upset. “Not really, why?”

Itachi sat down with a wince across the tub from him, dangling his legs into the water. He stared down, watching for a moment the way the water lapped at his shins. Sighing he looked up at Kisame, gesturing to the many scratches left earlier that night. “I have a problem.”

The gilled man raised an eyebrow. “Obviously. What is it?”

Part of Itachi told him to keep it to himself. Sharing wasn’t an... Itachi thing to do. He quietly told that part to be silent as he spoke out loud to Kisame, “Leader won’t let Sasuke stay... well now, he’ll kill him as well, if I don’t do things with him.” Things that were embarrassingly pleasing, in ways. His body always responded, and betrayed him. Itachi wondered if Leader had come up with some sort of mind muddling sex jutsu. “I haven’t told Sasuke this. He thinks I’m just sleeping around.”

“Shit...” Kisame ran a hand through his hair. “Why don’t you just tell him?”

“He’s the type that will feel guilty for having me do it for him... and I don’t want him feeling that. Or worse, leaving because he doesn’t want to put me through it. He’s annoyingly stubborn like that.”

“Well, if this is something you’re really willing to do for him, I don’t know what to say.” There wasn’t any real way out of it. Talking to Leader wouldn’t relieve Itachi’s probable suffering, it would more than likely make it worse.

Itachi sighed, scrubbing at his face. The heavy use of emotions was exhausting to one that wasn’t well trained in handling them. “I know, I know... I just.... I feel like he should be more grateful. He says he loves me, and I’m trying to do things to...” He paused, mind catching what he had been about to say. To show that he... No. That wasn’t something he could think of. “To make him know I care too, but all he does is get moody at me. I’ve told him more than I’ve told anyone, and it just upset him more.”

“Well,” Kisame tilted his head, speaking slowly as he thought, “he can’t be grateful for something that he doesn’t know you’re doing, first of all. Second, what exactly did you tell him? Was it something that he has a right to be upset about?”

“I guess. I told him about my plans.” At a very rare point in his life, Itachi had gotten very ill after being dosed with a rare toxin. The antidote had been easily made by the skilled ninja in the Akatsuki, but not before the toxin reduced its victim to a fevered and mumbling mess. Thankfully, only Kisame and one medical nin, whom Itachi had later killed for good measure, had heard him ramble on about his plan. Vaguely he remembered clinging to Kisame’s arm and asking him if it was a reasonable plan... before emptying the contents of his stomach upon his partner’s shoes. They had been through a lot, which allowed Itachi to open up as much as he did to the man.

“Wow... you’re an idiot.”

Twitching, especially after the respectful way his thoughts had taken him, Itachi glared at his partner. “What?” There was ice in his voice; anyone else would have slowly backed away just then.

“He’s told you he loves you, you said. So you go and tell him that you want him to kill you, and expect him to be happy about it?”

Hearing it out loud did make it seem rather... Itachi shook his head, sticking to his earlier convictions. “If he loves me, then he’ll end it for me.”

“You can’t expect him to be willing to kill someone he loves.”

Itachi dropped his gaze, kicking his legs a little, shivering at the way the ripples caressed his shins. Damn it all, Kisame had a point. “I think I can live with this just for a couple of years, for him... I’ve just... looked forward to my death for so long, its hard to see why he wouldn’t either.”

“Because he’s in love with you.” The man shrugged, elbows resting once again on the edges of the large tub. “He wants you with him.”

“Then what should I do? Should I do something cruel to him then kick him out?”

Stubbornness obviously ran in the Uchiha family, Kisame silently decided. “If that’s what you think you need to do. It would solve your problem, I guess.” Or make new ones.

After a few breaths of silence, Itachi spoke again, voice quieter. “I can’t hurt Sasuke anymore. Somehow, he’s killed the part of me that liked to hear him scream...”

Kisame chuckled softly. “Then just do what you have to do.”

“Fuck... I don’t know what I should do.”

“You’ll come up with something.”

Itachi snorted; yes, eventually something would probably come to mind. That didn’t help him in the here and now. “I suppose I’ll have to... Maybe Leader will get bored with me and move on after awhile. Weren’t he and Deidara... doing something?”

“I think so. I’d rather not think about it, though.” He shifted uncomfortably, steering the subject away. “You were always his favorite, Itachi. You should be careful. He and that snake seem to have a lot in common, unfortunately.”

“How so?”

“Well, Leader wanted you from the minute you got here. And the few times he got you before, he usually did to you what the snake did to your brother before we left.”

“True...” Itachi held back a shudder at the memories. “Bah, they deserve each other, Orochimaru and Leader.”

“They do.” Kisame smirked.

Itachi rolled his shoulders a little, ignoring the slight sting from the scratches. “Oi, want to get a drink?”

“Sure. Toss me a towel?”

The Uchiha stood carefully, retrieving a towel for Kisame. “You brought a spare change this time, right?” He only half believed that, more joking with his partner than anything.

Kisame caught the towel, pulling himself from the tub and standing. “Actually, this time I did. You should have seen the look on your brother’s face the last time he saw me coming down the hall for my clothes. I thought I’d spare him this time.” He wasn’t offended in the least; Kisame was sure most of the men in the Akatsuki would feel threatened. It was part of being a man, to be jealous of those more hung than you. Smirking to himself, he started to dry off.

Itachi surprised Kisame by managing a soft laugh. “I can only imagine.... So you’d spare him, but you don’t care if the rest of us suffer?” Honestly, he didn’t care to see anyone naked. Well... Sasuke, but that didn’t count.

“He’s an okay kid.” The taller man shrugged, bending to dry his legs. “Besides, his glare is almost as bad as yours.”

Smiling a little, Itachi leaned back against the wall. “He is, isn’t he? Smart too, and a fast study. His glares are cute, in a way...” Realizing what had just passed his lips, Itachi quickly looked away. Cute? Was he really tired enough to call someone cute?

Kisame chuckled, watching him for a moment. “...Oh, you’re in deep.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Shaking his head, Kisame pulled his clothes out of the basket, getting dressed. “Of course not.”

“I only have a towel, and I don’t feel like returning to my room just for clothes... could I borrow something from you?” Itachi knew they wouldn’t have to go out to drink, borrowing something that would probably be annoyingly baggy wasn’t a problem as long as he was only in Kisame’s presence. If anyone wanted liquor, rather than raiding the closest town’s liquor store, they always came to Kisame. It was a hobby of his, to collect rare and fine spirits, one that Itachi quickly tried to avoid getting caught up in. Being drunk, as he had found out early on, isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, especially with the way that inhibitions that should be firmly in place tended to go right out the proverbial window. He’d only drink casually, to relax himself.

“Sure. Do you want to get Deidara and Sasori to join us?”

“I’d rather keep it between us. I don’t feel like answering questions as to why I’m actually drinking this time.”

Finished dressing, Kisame nodded, tossing the towel into the used bin to be laundered later. “Alright. That way I only have to carry you down the hall to your room when you’re done, instead of helping Sasori move Deidara.”

“Bah... You’ll pass out before me.”

Kisame grabbed his few toiletries and threw them into a plastic bag, walking out of the steamy bathing area. “Wanna put money on that?” Itachi followed sedately behind him, scowling at his back, Kisame was sure.

“How much?”

“Hm... Fifty.”

“Fifty it is. If you have enough liquor, that is.” Control was hard to manage while drunk, but that was fine. Surely there was no great skill in being able to down strong tasting drinks. Ninja bodies were adapted to handle poison better than most people, and that was what the drunk reaction was. His body should be able to break down the liquor easily.

Kisame walked into his room, glancing over his shoulder to throw a questioning look back at Itachi. “Have you forgotten who you’re talking to?”

Itachi smirked, following him. “This is true.” Catching the pants that were thrown in his direction, Itachi dropped the towel and dressed.

“I think I should have asked for more money,” Kisame mumbled under his breath. The smaller man would be wasted in no time. At least that was his guess. It should have been a wager of how long it would take Itachi to get boozed up, rather who would be more intoxicated first. He got out two glasses, and the strongest of his whiskey, then tossed a few ice cubes into the two glasses. Gesturing to the table, he waited until Itachi was seated, then sat down across from him. “Didn’t ask if you wanted it on the rocks, but it tastes better cold.”

“Its fine.” He wouldn’t have known what “on the rocks” meant if Kisame had asked, though now he assumed it was slang for the ice in his cup. His partner’s strong hands broke the seal then twisted the cap off; strong, but not overly so. Given the power Itachi knew those hands could exert, they could easily snap the glass neck of the bottle. He was amused at how gentle Kisame could be.

Kisame poured ample amounts of spirits in both glasses, then took the one closest to himself. “I’d ask if you wanted to toast to anything, but I don’t think there’s anything worth toasting to. Except for health.”

Itachi snorted, raising his glass a bit before bringing it to his lips. “To health, then.”



To Itachi’s credit, it was several hours later before Kisame was forced to help his partner out of his room. The gilled man was sure that one of two things were going to happen, and soon. Either Itachi was going to puke, or he was going to pass out. Whatever it might be, Kisame didn’t want to be anywhere near it.

Itachi sighed, leaning heavily against Kisame. “Fuck... how’d I lose?”

“Maybe I’m just that great?”

The Uchiha scowled, giving his partner a dazed glare. “You cheated. Somehow.”

“Right, right.” Kisame knocked on Itachi’s door, waiting for Sasuke to answer. The younger Uchiha eventually answered the door, opening it wider once he spotted Itachi.

“Kisame?” Sasuke’s eyes lingered on Itachi, who promptly looked away, then hiccupped.

“Itachi’s a bit.... well, he’s drunk off his ass. Wanna help me, here?”

Sighing, Sasuke moved forward. “Aa.” He wrapped his arm around Itachi’s waist, helping him into the room.

“I’ll pay you in the morning...” Itachi’s words were slurred, making him blink in surprise. Too drunk to walk straight, and too drunk to speak clearly? ...He really was not going to drink with Kisame ever, ever again.

“Good.” The larger man waved, turning back toward his room. “See ya, Sasuke.”

After he was sure Kisame was out of hearing distance, Itachi spoke softly. “Close the door.” He felt the over whelming need to be close to Sasuke, and part of his drunken mind knew that there was less of a chance of being watched by Leader if the door was shut. Sasuke blinked, but did as he was asked. “Sasuke...”

“Yes?” He wondered if he should help Itachi toward the bathroom, or find a bucket for him later.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he whispered before pulling his brother into a kiss, a bit proud that it was not too sloppily done. Slowly Sasuke melted against him, kissing back eagerly. Itachi slipped his hand under Sasuke’s shirt, fingers splaying over the boy’s stomach. His brother purred at the touch, making Itachi smirk, breaking the kiss to lay sloppy kisses along his jaw line.

“Nnn... aniki, you’re drunk.”

“So?” He nibbled on his earlobe, teasing the flesh between his teeth. “After all I went through today, I know what I want.”

Sasuke shivered again, putting his hands on Itachi’s hips. “What did you go through?” A drunk Itachi might tell him, and he would finally find out what these missions were about.

“That’s not important. Sasuke...” He licked the outer shell of his ear, voice low and almost purring. “I need you.”

“Okay...”

Itachi’s lips brushed over his ear, warm breath stirring the hair there. “Fuck me... Hard.” Not waiting for a response, he pulled them toward the bed, stumbling a bit. Sasuke did not protest, but Itachi saw the boy’s eyes widen in surprise. “Please...”

“Are you sure?” Sasuke held his breath, unwilling to believe what he had heard.

The low bed hit the back of Itachi’s calves, creaking a little in response. He let go of Sasuke and dropped back onto the bed, scooting back so his brother would have enough room to get on as well. This was what he wanted, to erase the pain Leader left with the pleasure Sasuke would bring. “Yes... I just want you as close as you can be.” The pillow stilled most of the spinning in his head. At least his mind made sense; the world could not spin around him if he was lying on the bed.

Sasuke sank to his knees on the bed, tempted to activate the sharingan to see if this really was his brother. No... this was his brother... Sasuke did not know how he could tell this, but he knew. He smiled a little, watching his brother fumble with the pants Kisame had loaned him. They hung low on his hips, the tip of his hardness peeking out from under the excessive waistband. Sasuke reached down and stilled Itachi’s hands, leaning over him to kiss him gently. His brother made pleased sounds, shifting his hands to lace his fingers with Sasuke’s slightly thinner ones. Their kiss made Sasuke’s body tingle; soft and gentle, slow, as if both were savoring the moment.

The younger Uchiha squeezed his hands lightly, slowly shifting to cover Itachi’s body with his own. What nervousness at he had felt at possibly not performing well in front of his brother fled Sasuke. This was not a test, and he would enjoy Itachi’s body as it was meant to be.

Itachi hooked his legs around the backs of Sasuke’s thighs, arching his hips to gain some sort of sweet friction. Sasuke groaned softly into the kiss, rubbing his hips idly against Itachi. Need sped Itachi’s lips, and he released one of his hands to pull up Sasuke’s shirt from the back, fingers following the curve of his spine. Breaking the kiss, Sasuke sat up a little to help lift his shirt from his torso. Itachi tossed the garment from the bed then sank his hands into Sasuke’s hair, bringing the boy closer to recapture his lips.

Now that his hands were free, Sasuke trailed them down Itachi’s chest and stomach, loving the way the muscles danced under his touch. The tip of Itachi’s tongue traced his lower lip, making him gasp. His hands left Sasuke’s hair, scratching lightly down his back until Itachi could cup his cheeks. Sasuke moaned as his brother pushed him harder against him, adding more friction as both rocked against each other. Dipping his fingers under the loose waistband of the pants Itachi had borrowed, Sasuke stroked the skin there, just out of reach of his hardness. The older Uchiha’s fingers massaged cheeks as best he could through Sasuke’s pants. Sasuke lifted his hips slowly to slide the loose pants down Itachi’s body, breaking the kiss to lower his head and nuzzle his brother’s neck. Itachi panted, lifting his hips a little to help Sasuke. The younger didn’t bother to get the pants all the way off, instead leaving them around Itachi’s lower thighs. Kissing his neck gently, he murmured against his skin, “I love you...”

Itachi’s hand returned to Sasuke’s hair, curling in the still slightly damp tresses. “I love you, too.” He barely noticed the way Sasuke froze, eyes going wide; instead he rocked insistently against him. “More.”

“H-hai...” Tears hazed Sasuke’s vision for a moment. Itachi had said it, clear as day. He loved him...

The older Uchiha tightened his grip of Sasuke’s hair, lifting the boy’s head gently to kiss him again. Through slitted eyes, Itachi noticed the glimmer of unshed tears. “Did I pull to hard?” He was confused for a moment, unsure of what had happened.

Sasuke shook his head, voice barely above a whisper. “No.” He kissed him again, Itachi smiling against his lips. They kissed until Sasuke reluctantly pulled away. There would be time later for tenderness; right now they both needed release. Sasuke wanted to be inside Itachi, watch the way he reacted as he thought his brother might do with him. He fumbled with his own pants, mind befuddled with lust and relief at Itachi’s words.

Dropping his hand to Sasuke’s cheek, Itachi stroked it with his thumb, the skin silky under his touch. He vaguely remembered watching Sasuke shave once, the younger brother complaining about the chore. Itachi could not picture Sasuke as anything but clean-shaven, his drunken mind contemplating what he would look like with a beard. Sasuke’s cheeks flushed lightly at the attention, and he tilted his head into Itachi’s hand. “So beautiful... and mine... I don’t understand how,” he frowned a little, brows creasing, “but mine...”

Sasuke flushed more and nodded once. “Yours, aniki.”

Itachi smiled then shut his eyes. Disliking the way the room spun even more, he quickly reopened them. All he wanted to do was hold on to his brother, to assure himself that this was not some jutsu that actually made the room spin. Sasuke was pushing his own pants down, Itachi’s gaze flickering to his weeping length. Lowering himself once more, Sasuke brushed their bare hips together, heat meeting heat. Itachi moaned loudly, fisting his hand in Sasuke’s hair. “Gods...”

Sasuke bent and kissed Itachi’s neck lovingly, the older Uchiha lifting his chin to give him more access. The grip on his hair lessened then disappeared as Itachi began to stroke his back, hands wandering up and down the lean expanse of him. Sasuke looked up at him slowly, returning the small smile his brother gave him. He pressed a soft kiss to his lips before reaching off of the bed, opening the drawer of the table by the bed to dig through it. Boredom one day at being left in the room alone had led Sasuke to find the tube he wanted now. It had hurt at first, wondering why Itachi would have such a thing. But whoever shared his bed before did not matter any more, now Sasuke knew his brother loved him. Itachi scratched at his back idly, licking Sasuke’s chin. “Mm...” He closed the drawer and returned to his spot over Itachi, opening the tube with a flick of his thumb.

Noticing the lube, Itachi opened his legs under him, smiling sexily up at Sasuke. The boy groaned, sliding down a little. Itachi watched him as he thoroughly lubricated his fingers, breath coming in quick shallow pants. Sasuke glanced at Itachi, wordlessly asking permission. Smirking, the older Uchiha gave his assent. “Do it.”

Sasuke smiled, lightly tracing his brother’s entrance before sliding his finger inside slowly. Itachi’s moans were heady, making Sasuke’s member throb with need. The warmth around him slowly relaxed, so Sasuke added another finger. Itachi bit his bottom lip, moving his hips with every inward push his fingers gave. “Enough?” Sasuke was eager to proceed, but he didn’t want to hurt Itachi either.

Gripping his upper arm, Itachi nodded. “Closer...”

As Sasuke positioned himself, Itachi took the time to lean up and nip at his neck, sucking at the spot. It had been awhile since he’d last left a mark. There wasn’t any doubt that Sasuke was his, but he preferred it to be obvious. Any mark on Sasuke should and would only be by him, and he loved that.

“Mmm...” Sasuke lifted his chin, giving Itachi more room. His brother pulled away, his lips’ sudden lack of suction making a loud smack.

“There... now we can go on.”

Sasuke chuckled softly. “Marking me, aniki?”

“I am.” Itachi smirked. “Have a problem with that?”

“Oh, definitely not.” He put one hand on Itachi’s hip, quietly telling him that he was ready.

“Mark me when we’re done.” It might make Leader mad, but he could not bring himself to care about that. Take it out of his hide, fine. He would still have his brother to touch him and make him feel needed when it was over.

“Aa... of course.” Sasuke’s length nuzzled his entrance, the younger Uchiha glancing up to make sure once more that Itachi was ready. At his nod, Sasuke slowly pushed into him, pausing once the tip was inside.

Itachi gave a low moan, eyes closing. This time there was no spinning, only the feeling of Sasuke’s length stretching him. It hurt, but that sort of thing faded, he faintly thought. Being coherent and continuing their play was not possible. “I’m fine Sasuke... more,” he managed to gasp out.

Eyes squeezed shut with the effort not to move, Sasuke happily obliged Itachi, slowly pushing into him the rest of the way. Itachi clutched at his arms, shivering under him. Sasuke waited for Itachi to adjust once more, placing a hand near his head to steady himself.

Lost in the moment, Itachi murmured, “I love you.”

Sasuke whimpered at that, pulling back and thrusting into him hard. “I... love you, too.”

Gasping, his nails dug into Sasuke’s arms. “Sasuke... harder...” His brother nodded, panting as he slammed into him with each thrust. Itachi scratched down his arms then let go, one hand bracing himself against the wall behind him, the other gripping the sheets near his head.

Moaning, Sasuke slid one hand between them, encircling Itachi’s length slowly. Itachi’s hips bucked at the touch, body lifting a little from the bed. He stroked him in time with his thrusts, looking down at him with half open eyes. Itachi’s face was tilted a little to the side, mouth slightly ajar as he panted, knuckles white as he fisted the sheets. He brushed his lips over Itachi’s cheek. “So beautiful...”

Itachi turned quickly to catch Sasuke’s lips, kissing him hungrily. The younger Uchiha kissed back with as much vigor, thrusts beginning to speed. He sucked Sasuke’s tongue into his mouth, teeth barely grazing over as he sucked it in and out suggestively. Sasuke groaned and ran his thumb over the tip of his length, jerking his hand more quickly. His breath left him for a moment, familiar tenseness in his lower stomach. Releasing his tongue, he moaned out “Sasuke... I’m so close...”

“Aa... me too...” The thrusts became more frantic, their bodies connecting with loud slaps. Sasuke didn’t know if his eyes were open or closed anymore, only concentrating on the sensation of his brother’s warmth around his length. Itachi’s walls suddenly clamped tightly around him, his back arching off of the bed as he cried out. It was too much for the younger Uchiha, who thrusted once more into Itachi before coming hard inside him. “Itachi!”

Collapsing on the bed, Itachi tried to catch his breath. “Sa... Sasuke...” He licked his lips, opening his eyes. Sasuke was shaking above him, thrusting shallowly inside him as his pleasure dimmed. They were both sweaty, the sheets clinging to Itachi’s body. Itachi brushed away the hair matted to Sasuke’s face and leaned up, kissing his forehead.

“Mm.” Sasuke smiled slightly, slowly pulling out of him. Both winced at the action, Sasuke sitting back on his heels.

Itachi grabbed the damp sheet and wiped himself clean, sitting up to do the same for Sasuke. His brother smiled gratefully at him then dropped to the bed, lying beside him. Lying down as well, Itachi raised himself to one elbow, facing Sasuke. Even sweaty, the boy looked amazing. His cheeks were lightly flushed from their act, lips reddened and swollen.

Shifting closer, Sasuke nuzzled Itachi’s chest. “Love you...”

Itachi wrapped his arms around him, laying his cheek on Sasuke’s hair. “I love you too... I have for awhile, I just couldn’t say anything.”

Nodding a little, Sasuke held tightly to him. “Feels like I’ve been waiting forever to hear you say that.” Which was foolish, and he knew it, but did not care. A couple of days weren’t forever, but there were a lot of changes in his week, if that counted for anything. Finding himself not full of hate toward his brother, free of the snake, learning quickly every jutsu Itachi taught him, and... loving him. Not as a brother, or out of some childhood dream, but as he would love someone he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. It was only right; he had devoted himself to Itachi before.

“I know... Kisame pointed out that I was being stupid.” He was suddenly very tired, consciousness slowly fading. “Kick me the next time I hurt you, okay?”

Smiling, Sasuke kissed his chest. “Aa.... I promise.” He closed his eyes, tired as well.

“Mmm...” Itachi’s eyes felt heavy, closing on their own. He was out a breath later, curled tightly around Sasuke.